Smart mobile application for e-commerce applications

ABSTRACT

An approach using one or more computer processors to send a request from a user for a mobile payment to a payment gateway and to determine that an event has occurred on a mobile computing device of a user, wherein the event is an interruption to processing of a request for the mobile payment selected from a group consisting of: a fluctuating wireless signal for an internet connection, a low wireless signal for the internet connection, an incoming phone call, an incoming message, or a low battery power. The approach includes sending a request for additional transaction time for the mobile payment and determining whether additional transaction time for the mobile payment is received, and if so, configuring an alert to the user to complete the mobile payment, and alerting the user to complete the mobile payment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of e-commerce andmore particularly to smart mobile applications for e-commerceapplications and transactions.

Mobile applications or mobile apps are evolving daily. Mobile apps existfor all types of e-commerce applications including payments, ticketbooking, on-line shopping, mobile banking, and so on. Most of thesemobile apps are internet based and require an internet connection tofunction. Disruptions of an internet connection between a mobile deviceand a financial institution may occur due to a number of reasons. Forexample, a wireless signal to the mobile computer or smart phone mayfluctuate or be lost; a mobile computer battery power may be depleted orconsumed causing a temporary loss of the ability of the mobile computerto connect with the internet.

Most mobile apps for e-commerce utilize a payment gateway or servicethat integrates information such as amount of purchase from a shoppingcart or other merchant or retailer order summary program with userprovided payment information (e.g., credit card information, personalidentification number (PIN), passwords, etc. for user validation). Thepayment gateway encrypts data and transmits the provided data to theassociated financial institution (e.g., the issuing bank for the creditcard) for authorization of the transaction. The payment gateway providesthe authorization response to the merchant and in some cases, thepurchasing user (e.g., cardholder).

Many e-commerce transactions or payment methods use one-time passwordswith a short activation period or a maximum time allowed for completionof mobile payment authorizations. Most e-commerce transactions requirethe user to input all required identifications, passwords, answerpre-determined security questions, or other security checks in a timelymanner to ensure the secure completion of the transaction. If a userdoes not complete an entry or input of required information or passwordsfor an e-commerce transaction in the time allotted by the financialinstitutions or banks, then the transaction times out and terminates.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computerprogram product, and a system for one or more computer processors tosend a request from a user for a mobile payment to a payment gateway andto determine that an event has occurred on a mobile computing device ofa user, wherein the event is an interruption to processing of a requestfor the mobile payment selected from a group consisting of: afluctuating wireless signal for an internet connection, a low wirelesssignal for the internet connection, an incoming phone call, an incomingmessage, or a low battery power, and wherein determining an event hasoccurred includes requesting monitoring of the mobile computing deviceof the user and receiving a notification that the event has occurred onthe mobile computing device of the user. The method includes the one orcomputer processors sending a request for additional transaction timefor the mobile payment and determining whether additional transactiontime for the mobile payment is received. Responsive to determining theadditional transaction time is received, configuring an alert to theuser to complete the mobile payment, and responsive to determining atime for the alert has occurred, alerting, by the one or more computerprocessors, the user to complete the mobile payment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a distributed dataprocessing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of one example of amethod to request an authorization for an e-commerce transaction ormobile payment using an event plug-in, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of a process for requesting amobile payment authorization with an e-commerce mobile app using anevent plug-in, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting components of a computer system, inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that during processing ofan authorization in an e-commerce payment system utilizing a mobile app,the mobile app may receive an incoming call or other event interruptinga user input such as inputting a password, security code, or othersecure user validation input required for an e-commerce transaction.Events such as an incoming call, a low battery, or a loss of internetconnection for a computing device or smart phone may cause theprocessing of the authorization for the mobile payment to timeout orexpire before completion. Embodiments of the present invention recognizethat the data input by a user to request processing of an authorizationof a mobile payment or a mobile banking request from a mobile app (e.g.,a mobile app for on-line shopping or an app for access to a goods orservice provider website) generally needs to be completed in a timelymanner.

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that when requests forauthorization of a mobile payment or of a mobile banking transaction donot occur within a pre-set time determined by a financial institution orinstitutions authorizing the mobile payment or the mobile bankingtransaction then, the transaction times out and the requesting userneeds to re-initiate the mobile payment or banking transaction request(e.g., re-enter required information such as user identification andpasswords). Embodiments of the present invention recognize that re-entryof required information for mobile payment, mobile banking, or othersimilar financial mobile transaction is time consuming for the user.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method to reduceincomplete processing of a mobile payment authorization due theoccurrence of a timeout when the user does not complete inputting andtransmission of required mobile payment information in the requiredamount of time. Embodiments of the present invention provide a mobileapplication with the ability to receive a notification when specificevents occur that may cause an interruption or disruption to the entryof required data for an authorization request such as security codes,passwords, and the like. Embodiments of the present invention provide amobile application with the ability to use an event plug-in thatreceives a notification of the occurrence of specific events that arepotential disruptions to the timely entry of required information for amobile payment authorization. Embodiments of the present inventionprovide a method to communicate a request for additional time for a userto complete data entry for a mobile payment authorization request to theassociated financial institutions or banks based, at least in part, onreceiving from a computing device's mobile OS a notification of theoccurrence of one or more potentially disruptive events during userinput of required information for a mobile payment or mobile bankingtransaction. Embodiments for the present invention improve a computer'sor mobile device's ability to complete a mobile payment by providing amethod to identify potential events that extend the time a user needs toinput required information to complete a request for a mobile paymentand providing a method to receive additional time for required userinputs. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method to reducea user's need to re-access and re-authorize the mobile payment requestdue to insufficient time for data entry.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a distributed dataprocessing environment, generally designated 100, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 provides only anillustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitationswith regard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as recited by the claims.

As depicted, distributed data processing environment 100 includescomputer 130, payment gateway 140, and server 160 all interconnectedover network 110. Network 110 can include, for example, atelecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a virtual LAN(VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or acombination of the these, and can include wired or wireless connections.Network 110 can include one or more wired and/or wireless networks thatare capable of receiving and transmitting data including opticalsignals, radio wave signals, voice, and/or video signals, includingmultimedia signals. In general, network 110 can be any combination ofconnections and protocols that will support communications betweencomputer 130, payment gateway 140, server 160, and other computingdevices (not shown) within distributed data processing environment 100.

Computer 130 may be a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable computer (e.g.,a smart watch), a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktopcomputer, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicatingwith various components and devices within distributed data processingenvironment 100, via network 110. In various embodiments, computer 130is a mobile computing device such as a smart phone, a smart watch or atablet computer. In an embodiment, computer 130 is one or more computingdevices (e.g., a user's smart phone and a laptop) that are connected viaa shared network connection and working in a coordinated manner (e.g.,sharing data). In general, computer 130 represents any programmableelectronic device or combination of programmable electronic devicescapable of executing machine readable program instructions andcommunicating with other computing devices (not shown) withindistributed data processing environment 100 via a network, such asnetwork 110. Computer 130 may include internal and external hardwarecomponents, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG. 4.

As depicted in FIG. 1, computer 130 includes retail app 131 with eventplug-in 132, mobile operating system (OS) 133, and a user interface (UI)135. Computer 130 is depicted as an example of one embodiment of thepresent invention, but embodiments of the present invention are notlimited to the types of programs or specific app (i.e., retail app 131)depicted in FIG. 1.

Retail app 131 is an application or program on computer 130. In variousembodiments, retail app 131 is a mobile application or “app” forconnecting computer 130 to a retail internet site, a merchant website, acompany website, or the like for on-line shopping. Mobile applicationsoftware, or an “app,” is a computer program designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. Retail app 131 mayprovide access to a merchant website or other on-line shopping website,allowing browsing and the selection of products for purchase. Whileconnected via network 110 to a retail or merchant website, retail app131 with event plug-in 132 enables mobile payments or transactions fore-commerce using a mobile payment process. In various embodiments,retail app 131 is any mobile application or app configured with eventplug-in 132 used for mobile payments, e-commerce transactions, mobile oronline banking, or other similar app use for executing financialtransaction using computer 130. Retail app 131 using event plug-in 132initiates and provides the ability to execute e-commerce transactionssuch as mobile payments. In an embodiment, retail app 131 is a mobilebanking app, a mobile wallet app, a direct payment app, or the like formobile banking and/or mobile financial transactions. Retail app 131 mayuse payment gateway 140 to access server 160 for authorization and thecompletion of mobile payments or online financial transactions requestedby a user on UI 135. Payment gateway 140 may be invoked directly byretail app 131 using event plug-in 132 or retail app 131 using eventplug-in 132 may invoke another app on computer 130 (e.g., a smart phoneor a laptop computer) which can communicate with payment gateway 140.

Event plug-in 132 is a software extension to retail app 131. In variousembodiments, an event plug-in performing the operations and function ofevent plug-in 132 is included in other mobile applications (e.g., inmobile banking apps, mobile wallet apps, net banking apps, and the like)that provide the ability to perform mobile financial transactions ormobile payments requiring an internet connection and using a time limitfor required user input(s)). Event plug-in 132 requests mobile OS 133 tomonitor the operations of computer 130 for various events significant tothe ability to complete a desired e-commerce transaction such as amobile payment in a timely manner. In an embodiment, event plug-in 132is configured to monitor for events. The various events may include anincoming call or an intermittent wireless signal that may disrupt orinterrupt a user's ability to input a required password for example, ina request for mobile payment authorization. Upon receiving anotification of an occurrence of one or more of the various events frommobile OS 133, event plug-in 133 requests additional time to completeone or more required user inputs (e.g., security codes) from theassociated financial institutions. Event plug-in 132 may request server160 for additional time to complete a request for payment authorizationfor a mobile payment for the purchase of goods or services. In variousembodiments, upon receiving a notification of additional time for themobile payment authorization from the financial institution orinstitutions involved in the authorization process, event plug-in 132 isconfigured to create an alert or update an existing alert to inform theuser of an impending timeout for the mobile payment authorization oruser input required for authorization.

Mobile OS 133 is an operating system for a mobile computing device(e.g., computer 130). Mobile OS 133 is any known mobile operating systemcompatible with computer 130. In various embodiments, mobile OS 133 isconfigured to identify and notify event plug-in 132 of specific eventsoccurring on computer 130. In various embodiments, mobile OS 133, whenmonitoring for events, notifies event plug-in 132 of the occurrence ofevents in near real-time and/or in real-time. The specific eventsmonitored by mobile OS 133 upon receiving a request from event plug-in132 are events that may cause a potential disruption of internetconnection for computer 130 or may be a potential user distraction ordisruption to user attention delaying a required user input or inputs inretail app 131 (e.g., a security code or password for mobile paymentcompletion). In an embodiment, mobile OS 133 is configured to notifyeach computing device accessed or registered to a user. Eventsconfigured in mobile OS 133 for monitoring include but are not limitedto events occurring on computer 130 such as an intermittent wirelesssignal received by computer 130, a low battery, or other situation incomputer 130 indicating a potential internet connection disruption.Events included for monitoring on computer 130 by mobile OS 133 may alsoinclude an incoming call, a message, an urgent e-mail, or otherpotential disruption or user distraction preventing or delaying arequired user input (e.g., a password) required for mobile paymentauthorization. Monitoring of events by mobile OS 133 terminates whenretail app 131 with event plug-in 132 is closed.

User interface 135 provides an interface for computer 130 with paymentgateway 140, server 160, and other computing devices in distributed dataprocessing environment 100 (not shown). In various embodiments, userinterface 135 is mobile application software that provides an interfacebetween the users of computer 130, payment gateway 140 and server 160.In one embodiment, user interface 135 is a graphical user interface(GUI) or a web user interface (WUI) and can display text, documents, webbrowser windows, user options, application interfaces, and instructionsfor operation, and include the information (such as graphic, text, andsound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences theuser employs to control the program. User interface 135 enables computer130 to receive a user input such as a password, security code, or thelike to initiate and process a mobile payment request to server 160.

Payment gateway 140 is a known e-commerce application that providesauthorization for e-commerce payments, transactions, or mobile apppurchases. Payment gateway 140 may be used with mobile paymentsperformed with retail app 131 using event plug-in 132. Upon completionof a user's selection of products or services for purchase, for exampleusing a shopping cart in retail app 131, a user inputs paymentinformation and required user validation information in retail app 131using event plug-in 132. Required payment information for requesting amobile payment authorization may include payment method, requiredpayment passwords, PIN, security codes, security questions, and the likewhich are collected along with purchase information such as the purchaseamount provided at customer checkout (e.g., from the shopping cart orthe like). The purchase amount and payment information (e.g., accounts,passwords, etc.) are collected and managed (e.g., encrypted forsecurity) by payment gateway 140 using known methods. Payment gateway140 provides the collected and encrypted information for paymentauthorization to the associated financial institution or institutions(e.g., directly to the purchasing user's bank, to multiple financialinstitutions such as through an acquiring and issuing bank, or othergroup of financial institutions) using known methods.

Server 160 can be a standalone computing device, an application server,a web server, a management server, a database server, or any otherelectronic device or computing system capable of receiving, sending, andprocessing data with computer 130, payment gateway 140, and othercomputing devices (not shown) within distributed data processingenvironment 100 via network 110. In another embodiment, server 160 canbe a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asmart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable ofcommunicating with computer 130, and payment gateway 140. In variousembodiments, server 160 represents a computing system utilizingclustered computers and components (e.g., database server computers,application server computers, etc.) that act as a single pool ofseamless resources such as used in a cloud-computing environment whenaccessed within distributed data processing environment 100.

Server 160 includes transaction program 162. In various embodiments,server 160 is a server used in a financial institution or a financialservices system such as a bank or a credit card corporation. Server 160sends and receives data from computer 130 and payment gateway 140 suchas requests for additional transaction time generated by event plug-in132 on computer 130 and requests for mobile payment authorization insupport of a product or service purchase generated by a user. Server 160may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted anddescribed in further detail with respect to FIG. 4.

Transaction program 162 is utilized to receive transaction requests,authorize transactions such as mobile payments for e-commerceapplications, complete the monetary or currency exchanges required tocomplete a transaction using known methods, and to approve requests foradditional transaction time from event plug-in 132. If transactionprogram 162 in server 160 approves a request for additional time for theuser to input required information from event plug-in 132, then theprogram using server 160 may send a notification of the additional timeto event plug-in 132 on computer 130.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 depicting operational steps of one example ofa method to request an authorization for an e-commerce transaction ormobile payment using an event plug-in 132, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

In step 202, event plug-in 132 requests event monitoring. When a userinitiates event plug-in 132 by opening retail app 131, then eventplug-in 132 sends a request to mobile OS 133 to begin monitoringspecific events. In an embodiment, event plug-in 132 is configured tomonitor computer 130 for events (e.g., incoming calls or alerts/urgentmessages).

The specific events monitored by mobile OS 133 for event plug-in 132include any event that may cause a change or interruption in datatransmission or receipt of new data (e.g., an incoming call or an urgentmessage), any event indicating a detected, potential change in internetconnection, or other potential disruption to user input activities oncomputer 130, for example, required user data entry for authorization ofa mobile payment in retail app 131 using event plug-in 132. Inparticular, event plug-in 132 requests monitoring of the specific eventsthat relate to a potential temporary disruption of a user's ability toprovide required inputs such as passwords including one-time usepasswords with limited validity time, personal identification numbers(PIN), security codes, answering security questions, or other known uservalidation methods in a timely manner. The input of information such aspasswords or security codes may have a time limit for completion (e.g.,have an associated timeout period that is applied by server 160).Financial institutions or banks typically have a threshold or anallowable period of time that limits the amount of time allotted for auser to input required information such as passwords, security codes,and the like for submission to server 160. When the allowable period oftime occurs or is passing, server 160 will timeout or terminate thetransaction.

For example, the specific events requested for monitoring by mobile OS133 in a mobile payment or by event plug-in 132 are events that mayaffect a user's ability to input information required for requesting anauthorization for e-commerce transactions such as mobile payments foronline purchases in a timely manner (e.g., before a timeout).

In various embodiments, event plug-in 132 sends notification of eventoccurrences to multiple computing devices accessed by a user. Eventplug-in 132 includes addresses or locations input by the user for thevarious computing devices commonly accessed by the user. The specificevents requested for monitoring by mobile OS 133 include events that maycreate a temporary disruption to either the internet connection ofcomputer 130 or a disruption of a user's attention when inputtingrequired information such as a password, a security code, or the like.

Specific events monitored that indicate a potential disruption to theinterconnection of computer 130 include but, are not limited to anintermittent or low wireless signal detected by mobile OS 133 or a lowbattery power indication for computer 130. In an embodiment, an eventnotification received by event plug-in 132 is generated by mobile OS 133in response to a glitch in computer 130′s connection to retail app 131or a non-user initiated disrupting of an internet connection for retailapp 131 using event plug-in 132 identified by mobile OS 133 or by eventplug-in 132 in an embodiment. Specific events requested by event plug-in132 for monitoring by mobile OS 133 include events that may disrupt orinterrupt a user's input for a mobile payment authorization include, butare not limited to incoming calls, incoming notifications from otherprograms, incoming messages or urgent e-mails.

In various embodiments, the specific events for monitoring by mobile OS133 are included in the request sent from event plug-in 132. In anembodiment, event plug-in 132 requests mobile OS 133 to configure theevents for monitoring upon first use of retail app 131 with eventplug-in 133. In one embodiment, mobile OS 133 is pre-configured with thespecific events to monitor for event plug-in 132.

In step 204, event plug-in 132 receives a mobile payment request. Invarious embodiments, event plug-in 132 receives an input from a user(e.g., a user input on UI 135 in computer 130 in FIG. 1) initiating amobile payment authorization request for an online transaction orpurchase. In an embodiment, event plug-in 132 receives a user inputinitiating an online banking request (e.g., a transfer of funds). In anembodiment, retail app 131 receives the authorization request to processan e-commerce transaction (e.g., a mobile payment or online bankingrequest) and notifies event plug-in 132 of the request.

The completion of the authorization request may include a number of uservalidation steps. For example, a mobile payment authorization requestmay be initiated upon selecting “payment” or “place order” from ashopping cart in a mobile app such as retail app 131. In this example,the information required to complete a mobile payment request forauthorization by one or more financial institutions or banks may includea user identification, a user password entry, a user PIN or securitycode, or other user provided inputs required by server 160 (e.g.,required by a bank or financial services system). Once event plug-in 132receives the initiation of an authorization request, the user mayrequire some time to input the required information for user validationto request an authorization. Event plug-in 132 may send an initialauthorization request using known methods to receive a one-time usepassword for authorization request completion to payment gateway 140 andserver 160.

In decision step 208, event plug-in 132 determines whether an event hasoccurred. If event plug-in 132 has received a notification that an eventhas occurred (yes branch, decision step 208) from mobile OS 133, thenevent plug-in 132 sends a request for additional input time (step 210)to server 160 using payment gateway 140. Upon receiving, for example, anincoming phone call, a notification from another program, an urgentmessage, a notification of low battery, or a notification of afluctuating wireless signal or poor wireless connection from computer130′s operating system (e.g., mobile OS 133) or a notice of anothersimilar event occurring on computer 130 that may interrupt a user'srequired inputs for a mobile payment or financial transaction, eventplug-in 132 sends a request to payment gateway 140 for server 160 toapprove additional time for the user to complete the required inputs.The additional time can be an increase to the timeout or increase thevalidity period for a one-time password for the transaction. Forexample, if mobile OS 133 in computer 130 detects an intermittentwireless signal or a wireless signal of varying signal strength then,mobile OS 133 notifies event plug-in 132 of the event, which may affecta user's ability to provide inputs for a mobile payment in a timelymanner. In response to receiving the notification from mobile OS 133,event plug-in 132 sends a request to payment gateway 140 for server 160(e.g., to a bank or banks) to allow more time for the user to providenecessary inputs. In an embodiment, event plug-in 132 requests fromserver 160 more time for a user to complete a request for an onlinebanking.

In an embodiment, event plug-in 132 shares information or notificationsof occurring events with the multiple computing devices accessed orregistered to the user. In an embodiment, a request for monitoring ofevents generated by event plug-in 132 and sent to mobile OS 133 mayinclude addresses for multiple computing devices such as a smart phone,a tablet, a notebook, desktop computer, or other computing deviceaccessed by the user. For example, a user is performing a transaction,such as a purchase on a store website via a store mobile app, from alaptop or desktop computer and inputting required mobile paymentinformation (e.g., identification and passwords). During the input, theuser is interrupted by an incoming call on the user's smart phone. If aninstance of the same store mobile app is present on both the smart phoneand the laptop, and the devices are connected via a shared connection,then either event plug-in 132 can send a notification to the desktopcomputer or mobile OS 133 can send a notification to the app on thesmart phone and to the desktop computer, providing a notification of theinterruption to the user inputting time sensitive information on thelaptop required for an e-transaction. In this example, either the app onthe smart phone, or an application or program on the desktop configuredwith an event plug-in can send a request for additional time (i.e., dueto the incoming call) to server 160 at the associated financialinstitution providing mobile payment authorization.

Event plug-in 132 may include the information such as IP addresses orother computer device identification in a request for eventnotification. In an embodiment, an event plug-in can be included inapplications or programs used to access a retail or banking website onany of the computing devices commonly accessed or registered to a user.With this configuration of event plug-in 132, a notification of anincoming call, message or text may be received by each computing deviceaccessed or registered to a user. For example, the user is doing ane-commerce transaction on his or her notebook computer via a retailwebsite app. When mobile OS 133 or event plug-in 132 identifies afluctuating wireless signal to the smart phone, notifications may besent to any open apps with an event plug-in and to the notebook computerregistered with event plug-in 132, an event plug-in for the app sends arequest for additional user input time to server 160.

If granted (e.g., server 160 increases in the timeout period for thetransaction), the additional time requested by event plug-in 132 fromserver 160 from a financial institution provides the user with more timeto enter a password when an interruption or a potential interruption isdetected, for example, due to an intermittent wireless connection or anincoming call. The additional time to complete a request for mobilepayment or a mobile banking transaction may include extending thevalidation time allowed for a one-time password provided by server 160in a financial institution. In various embodiments, event plug-in 132includes in the request for additional time information on the eventdriving the request. For example, the request for additional timeincludes a software code, a metadata identification, or a writtendescription of the type of event occurring (e.g., a potential temporaryloss of internet connection due to a poor wireless signal to computer130).

However, if event plug-in 132 has not received a notification of anevent (no branch of decision step 208), then event plug-in 132determines whether the transaction time has expired (decision step 216).

Upon sending the request for additional input time to server 160 in therespective financial institutions via payment gateway 140, in decisionstep 212, event plug-in 132 determines whether additional input time isreceived for the transaction in decision step 212. Event plug-in 132determines if a notification of additional time is received from server160 via payment gateway 140 to increase the time allowed for requireduser inputs (e.g., an increase in a timeout period for the transaction).The additional time, if granted by server 160, may allow completion ofthe required user inputs for a mobile payment request before a timeoutoccurs in an e-commerce transaction or mobile payment. For example,after receiving a request for additional time due to an intermittentwireless signal from event plug-in 132, server 160 determines thatadditional time (e.g., one minute) may be added to the timeout period(e.g. one minute is added to the time allowed for a user to inputrequired information for an online purchase). In another example, eventplug-in 132 receives from payment gateway 140 a notification of anincrease of two minutes to the validity period for a one-time usepassword from server 160 after requesting additional time due to areceived incoming call received on computer 130. The additional time maybe either or both an increase in the timeout period or a longer validitytime for a one-time password providing the user with more time to inputrequired information to complete a request for an authorization of ane-commerce transaction such as a mobile payment.

When event plug-in 132 determines that a notification of additionalinput time has been received (yes branch of decision 212) for anauthorization request, then event plug-in 132 may configure or update analert to the user in step 214. In various embodiments, event plug-in 132upon receiving a notification of additional time for an authorizationrequest input includes creating, re-setting, or updating an alert towarn a user of impending timeout when the request for additional time byevent plug-in 132 is granted (e.g., the timeout period is extended) byserver 160. For example, the alert configured by event plug-in 132 couldbe a beep, a sound, a vibration, a message, or other known alert methodthat is initiated ten or fifteen seconds before a new timeout for ae-commerce transaction.

However, if event plug-in 132 does not receive a notification thatadditional authorization input time is received (no branch of decision212), then event plug-in 132 determines whether a transaction time hasexpired (decision 216). If event plug-in 132 determines that atransaction time has expired or a timeout occurs (yes branch of decision216), then the mobile payment request ends and in various embodiments,in step 220, event plug-in 132 receives a notification to close.

However, if event plug-in 132 determines that the transaction time hasnot expired (no branch of decision step 216), then event plug-in 132completes the transaction in step 218. Using known methods, thetransaction is completed and an authorization request is sent to paymentgateway 140. In step 220, event plug-in 132 receives notification toclose. In various embodiments, a user inputs on UI 135 in computer 130 acommand to close retail app 131 and event plug-in 132. In variousembodiments, when retail app 131 using event plug-in 132 receives a userinput to close the application, mobile OS 133 determines that eventplug-in 132 is closed and ceases event monitoring.

FIG. 3 is an illustration 300 of an example of a process for requestinga mobile payment authorization with a mobile app using an event plug-in310, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asdepicted, FIG. 3 includes mobile app using event plug-in 310, mobile OS320, payment gateway 330, and financial institution 340 utilized in themethod to request additional time for an e-commerce transaction such asa mobile payment.

Mobile app using an event plug-in 310 provides the functionality ofevent plug-in 132 discussed previously in FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect toretail app 131 using event plug-in 132. As depicted in FIG. 3, mobileapp using event plug-in 310 sends a request for event monitoring 301 tomobile OS 320. Mobile OS 320 provides the same functionality previouslydiscussed in FIGS. 1 and 2 with regard to mobile OS 133. Mobile OS 320identifies the occurrence of an event and sends a notification of eventoccurrence 302 to mobile app using event plug-in 310. Mobile app usingevent plug-in 310 sends a request for additional time 303 for a user tocomplete inputs (e.g., passwords) when an event occurs to paymentgateway 330. Payment gateway 330 provides the same functionality paymentgateway 140 previously discussed. Payment gateway 330, in turn, sendsthe request for additional time 303 to financial institution 340 thatprovides the same functionality as server 160 previously discussed inFIGS. 1 and 2.

As depicted in FIG. 3, financial institution 340 approves the requestand sends a notification of the approval for additional time 304 tofinancial institution 340. Payment gateway 330 sends the notification ofapproval of the additional time 305 back to mobile app using eventplug-in 310.

FIG. 4 is block diagram 400 depicting components of a computer system inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Asdepicted, FIG. 4 depicts the components of a computer system, which isan example of a system such as computer 130 or a system such as server160, within distributed data processing environment 100, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciatedthat FIG. 4 provides only an illustration of one implementation and doesnot imply any limitations with regard to the environments in whichdifferent embodiments can be implemented. Many modifications to thedepicted environment can be made.

Computer 130 and server 160 can include processor(s) 404, cache 414,memory 406, persistent storage 408, communications unit 410,input/output (I/O) interface(s) 412, and communications fabric 402.Communications fabric 402 provides communications between cache 414,memory 406, persistent storage 408, communications unit 410, andinput/output (I/O) interface(s) 412. Communications fabric 402 can beimplemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/orcontrol information between processors (such as microprocessors,communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheraldevices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example,communications fabric 402 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory(RAM). In general, memory 406 can include any suitable volatile ornon-volatile computer readable storage media. Cache 414 is a fast memorythat enhances the performance of processor(s) 404 by holding recentlyaccessed data, and data near recently accessed data, from memory 406.

Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of thepresent invention are stored in persistent storage 408 for executionand/or access by one or more of the respective processor(s) 404 viacache 414. In this embodiment, persistent storage 408 includes amagnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetichard disk drive, persistent storage 408 can include a solid-state harddrive, a semiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or anyother computer readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is part of persistent storage 408.

Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including resources,computer 130, payment gateway 140, server 160, and other computingdevices not shown in FIG. 1. In these examples, communications unit 410includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit 410may provide communications with either or both physical and wirelesscommunications links. Program instructions and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention may be downloaded to persistentstorage 408 through communications unit 410.

I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to computer 130 or server 160. Forexample, I/O interface(s) 412 may provide a connection to externaldevice(s) 416 such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, amicrophone, a digital camera, and/or some other suitable input device.External device(s) 416 can also include portable computer readablestorage media, for example, devices such as thumb drives, portableoptical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used topractice embodiments of the present invention can be stored on suchportable computer readable storage media and can be loaded ontopersistent storage 408 via I/O interface(s) 412. I/O interface(s) 412also connect to a display 418.

Display 418 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor. Display 418 can also function as atouchscreen, such as a display of a tablet computer.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be any tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or aportion of instructions, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occurout of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles ofthe embodiment, the practical application, or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

1. A method comprising: sending, by one or more computer processors, arequest from a user for a mobile payment to a payment gateway; inresponse to identifying that the user is requesting the mobile paymentutilizing a mobile application on a mobile computing device of the user,initiating, by one or more computer processors, monitoring of the mobilecomputing device of the user utilizing a mobile operating system on themobile computing device, the monitoring comprising monitoring the mobilecomputing device for information indicating events that cause adisruption in user input capabilities of the mobile computing device;determining, by the one or more computer processors, an event hasoccurred on the mobile computing device of a user, wherein the event isan interruption to processing of a request for the mobile paymentselected from a group consisting of: a fluctuating wireless signal foran internet connection, a low wireless signal for the internetconnection, an incoming phone call, an incoming message, or a lowbattery power, and wherein determining an event has occurred includesreceiving a notification, from the mobile operating system, that theevent has occurred on the mobile computing device of the user; sending,by the one or more computer processors, a request for additionaltransaction time for the mobile payment; determining, by the one or morecomputer processors, whether additional transaction time for the mobilepayment is received; responsive to determining the additionaltransaction time is received, configuring, by the one or more computerprocessors, an alert to the user to complete the mobile payment, whereinconfiguring the alert includes updating parameters of an impendingtimeout associated with completing the transaction based on data of thereceived additional transaction time; and responsive to determining atime for the alert has occurred initiating, by the one or more computerprocessors, the configured alert on a user interface on the mobilecomputing device of the user to complete the mobile payment.